EC DENTAL SCIENCE Mini Review Palatal Obturator: An Update

The presence of a palatal defect can cause functional, aesthetic, and social distress to the patients. The design and fabrication of oral appliance (obturators) to occlude oral cavity from nasal passage/ antrum or to replace parts of the palate missing due to congenital defects or lost through tumours, infection or trauma has been a considerable challenge for clinicians however significant advances have been made in the past with regard to the techniques and materials in resolving the problem of fabricating satisfactory obturators to occlude oro-nasal/ antral passages and to restore function, esthetics and mental attitude of such patients. This paper discusses various aspects of palatal obturators.